Pics: Thejaswi U Poojary
Media Release
Udupi, Apr 4: Poornaprajna College (Autonomous), Udupi, in association with the department of Physical Education, Mangalore University, will organise the All India inter-university men’s Kho- Kho tournament 2024-25 at the Sri Vibudesha Theertha Swamiji Indoor Stadium in Poornaprajna College (Autonomous), Udupi, from April 9 to 12.
Dr G S Chandrashekar, secretary, Poornaprajna College managing committee, Udupi, told reporters in a press meet held on April 4 that, “Vibudesh Theertha Swamiji about 60 years back started this institution for the overall development of students. From 7 to 8 years the institution has been organising various All India sports tournaments. The college has successfully hosted several All-India level sports events in Udupi district, including the All India Inter University netball championship in 2018, the All India Inter University kabaddi championship in 2019, and the India Inter University kabaddi championship in 2023, and the All India Inter University Men Volleyball championship in 2024. This time, the college has the privilege of hosting the prestigious All India Inter University men's Kho-Kho championship 2025. Our students have also contributed and represented in All India tournaments.”
The sports event will take place in an interim indoor stadium built in the Poornaprajna College campus using world-class German Hanger technology. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 1,500 spectators and features a matted floor for the court, as per AIIU rules.
A total of 16 teams will participate in the tournament, with four teams from each of the all four zones, South Zone: Mangalore University Karnataka, Davanagere University Karnataka, Bharathiar University Coimbatore Tamil Nadu, and the University of Kerala Trivandrum Kerala. West Zone: SRTMU Nanded Maharashtra, Dr BAMU Sambhaji nagar Maharashtra, Mumbai University Mumbai Maharashtra, and Savitribai Phule University Pune Maharashtra. North Zone: CSJMU Kanpur Uttar Pradesh, LPU Jalandhar Punjab, the University of Delhi, Delhi and GNDU Amritsar, Punjab. East Zone: KIIT Bhubaneshwar Odisha, Hemchand Yadav Vishwavidyalaya Chhattisgarh, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University Chhattisgarh, and Gangadhar Meher University Odisha.
The matches will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis. Fifty officials from across India will be present throughout the event. Several sub-committees have been formed to ensure the smooth conduct of the competition. The matches will be held on the synthetic track.
The tournament will be inaugurated at 10.30 am, on April 9, with the divine blessings of Sri Sri Vishwapriya Theertha Swamiji, senior pontiff Adamaru Matha Udupi, Sri Sri Eeshapriya Theertha Swamiji, president, Udupi Shree Adamaru Matha Education Council (USAMEC), Bengaluru, and with the presence of MP for Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLA Udupi Yashpal Suvarna, MLA Kaup Gurme Suresh Shetty, secretary, USAMEC, Bengaluru Dr A P Bhat, former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, treasurer USAMEC, Bengaluru CA G V Krishna secretary, Poornaprajna College Managing Committee, Udupi Dr G S Chandrashekar, treasurer, Poornaprajna College managing committee, Udupi CA Prashanth Holla, director of academics, Poornaprajna Group of Institutions Dr Sriramana Aithal, director of Physical Education, Mangalore University, professor (Dr) Kishore Kumar C K, principal, Poornaprajna College (Autonomous), Udupi Dr Ramu L.
K Annamalai, former IPS, will be the special invitee, and Shree Krishnan H MD and CEO, Karnataka Bank Mangaluru will be the chief guest of the inaugural programme. Professor P L Dharma, vice chancellor, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, will preside over the programme.
The closing ceremony will be held on April 12 at 11.30 am, in Sri Vibudesha Theertha Swamiji Indoor Stadium, with the divine blessings of Sri Sri Eeshapriya Theertha Swamiji, president, Udupi Shree Adamaru Matha Education Council (USAMEC), Bengaluru, and with the presence of registrar Mangalore University Raju Mogaveera KAS, minister of Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport, Mankala S Vaidya, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, former minister Jayaprakash Hegde, president of Muniyalu Udayakrishna Charitable Trust, Muniyalu Udayakumar Shetty, entrepreneur Prasad Raj Kanchan, administrative officer USAMEC Udupi Dr Shridhar Rao, Dr G S Chandrashekar, CA Prashanth Holla, treasurer managing committee Poornaprajna Education Centre Adamaru CA Ganesh Hebbar, director of Physical Education Mangalore University Dr Gerald Santhosh D’Souza, principal, Poornaprajna College (Autonomous), Udupi, Dr Ramu L,
Lakshmi Hebbalkar, minister of women and child development, disabled and senior citizens empowerment and in charge minister, Udupi, will be the chief guest for the closing ceremony, Dr A P Bhat, will preside over the ceremony.
Free food and accommodation have been arranged for officials, players, team managers, and coaches throughout the event. Food has been arranged at the venue, and accommodation has been arranged in nearby hotels. Free medical facility arrangements have been made from Adarsha Hospital Udupi. The audiences also can watch the tournament virtually through live.
Poornaprajna College, Udupi, was founded in 1960 and is managed by the Udupi Shree Adamaru Matha Education Council, Bengaluru. The college is known for imparting elite education to students in various streams for over six decades. It has been re-accredited with an “A+” grade by NAAC in 2022 for its quality education and has also received autonomous status from the University Grants Commission, Delhi, the Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, Bengaluru, and Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri.
The press conference was attended by organising secretary of All India Inter-University men’s Kho-Kho championship Dr Gerald Santhosh D’Souza, principal Poornaprajna College Dr Ramu L and convener of All India Inter-University men’s Kho-Kho championship Sukumar.